Explanation
- A
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is butterfly-rich but was not the first State in India to declare a State Butterfly in the news this question uses. This option is not the key.
- B
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has later insect/wildlife symbols; it was not that first declaration. This option is wrong.
- C
Karnataka
Karnataka is a Western Ghats State with rich butterfly fauna, but Maharashtra made the first State Butterfly declaration. This option is not the key.
- D
Maharashtra
Maharashtra, in 2015, became the first Indian State to declare a State Butterfly, the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor). That is why (d) is the official key.
Summary. Official key is (d) Maharashtra. The Blue Mormon, a large swallowtail found in the Western Ghats and elsewhere in peninsular India, was notified as Maharashtra’s State Butterfly — the first such State-level symbol in the country. Arunachal, Himachal and Karnataka were not that first mover. Other States later named their own butterflies. The question is about the first declaration, not about which State has the most species.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2020 · Q81 · General Studies · 2 marks
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? -
2018 · Q95 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs launch the satellite useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location in Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2024 · Q25 · General Studies · 2 marks
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